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AHRQ: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Substance Use Tools & Resources   

Read the Guide

This collection of tools and resources is for providers, staff, and patients who offer or use services to address substance use, and other interested stakeholders. This collection was originally established following an environmental scan on implementing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) in rural primary care. (See PDFs of Volume 1 [PDF 0.69 MB] and Volume 2 [PDF 1.28 MB] of that scan). Items have been continuously added to this collection since then, and the collection has expanded to cover substance use more broadly, rather than just MAT for OUD.

Displaying 1 - 10 of 983

2025 National Guidelines for a Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Crisis Care (PDF - 1596 KB)

This new publication provides guidance and highlight effective practices for crisis care services across the country. SAMHSA has identified the essential elements for an effective crisis continuum such that everyone in the nation has a robust system that meets their needs, one that includes “someone to contact, someone to respond, and a safe place for help.”

Format
Guide
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
Other Team Members
Policymakers and Payers
Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Behavioral Health Care Access Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) Populations (PDF - 4.2 MB)

The Behavioral Health Care Access Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) Populations report highlights findings from the 2023 SAMHSA publication Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Behavioral Health: Results from the 2021 and 2022 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health on the elevated rates of substance use, suicidality, and mental illness among LGB individuals compared to straight individuals.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Challenges in Standardizing SUD Care Coordination (PDF - 309 KB)

This brief identifies key challenges to achieving standardization in substance use disorder (SUD) care coordination and offers solutions to create a reliable and fair system of care.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Communities
Source
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Clinical Guidance for PrEP

This page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides comprehensive guidance on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention.

Format
Web Page
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
Source
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Clinical Screening and Diagnosis for Hepatitis C

This page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides comprehensive guidelines on clinical screening and diagnosis for Hepatitis C.

Format
Web Page
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
Source
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Combatting Stigma with Knowledge

This blog post discusses substance use disorders and their associated stigma. It highlights how improved knowledge about substance use disorders can combat stigma.
Format
Web Page
Audience
Communities
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Contingency Management for Adults with Substance Use Disorder: Evidence Roundup

This Better Care Playbook Evidence Roundup highlights emerging evidence on the effectiveness of contingency management interventions and strategies to scale implementation.
Format
Web Page
Audience
Policymakers and Payers
States
Behavioral Health Providers
Source
Center for Health Care Strategies
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Continuing Medical Education Articles

The American Medical Association (AMA) offers specialized CME courses in addiction care.

Format
Web-Based Course
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
Source
American Medical Association (AMA)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

DEA Education Requirements

ASAM offers a comprehensive range of CME programs, including live courses, webinars, and on-demand content focused on various aspects of addiction medicine.

Format
Web-Based Course
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
Source
American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

eCFR: 42 CFR Part 2 -- Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records

This page provides detailed information about Title 42, Part 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which focuses on the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records.

Format
Web Page
Audience
Other Team Members
Policymakers and Payers
States
Source
Code of Federal Regulations
Year
Resource Type
Web Page